FC 26 Vs FC 25: Key Gameplay Changes, New Features & What You Need To Know
FC 26, a popular football game, has been a hot topic among gamers since its release. What changes has FIFA 26 made compared to 25? Let's take a look.
Improved Gameplay

Comparatively speaking, EA Sports FC 26 offers smoother gameplay and greater attention to detail.
In FIFA 26, you need to pay attention to the fluency of the pass. In addition, the strength attribute of the player card has become more important. A player with weak passing skills and a lack of Strength will struggle to pass the ball to teammates, making it difficult to control possession and break through opponents.
In this regard, Arsenal's Viktor Gyokeres has quickly become a favorite among players, boasting exceptional Strength stats of 91 and Sprint Speed stats of 92 (maximum 100). If you'd like to experience Viktor Gyokeres's exceptional stats, you can obtain this character card by using FC 26 coins.
Another key gameplay detail is tackling. In the past, players could complete a tackle, but there was a high probability of not regaining possession of the ball. This situation, after repeated occurrences, could easily lead to players becoming frustrated and even quitting the game.
But in FC 26, when a player makes a tackle, the defender's behavior will be closer to that of real players, and they will not be able to get the ball within a few seconds after the tackle. This means that the player's possibility of getting the ball is greatly increased, and the excitement of successfully stealing the ball is also doubled.
In terms of details, FIFA 26 now features more prominent player information. Players can now more intuitively see their dominant foot, skill moves, and the strength of their weaker foot beneath their name. When playing against unfamiliar teams, it's easier to identify which players are best suited to the situation, speeding up on-field decision-making.
Bug Fixes
FC 26 has addressed some of the issues previously criticized by players, such as the tendency to lose the ball on counterattacks from corner kicks, the high frequency of long-range shots going into the goal, and the difficulty of defending free kicks.
While emphasizing passing ability, players in the corner area are now more strategically positioned, reducing the chances of opponents scoring with a double pass. While long-range shots can still score, the loophole of guaranteed goals from fixed angles has been eliminated.
Free kick defense now allows goalkeepers to adjust their positions, allowing players inside the defensive wall to break out and block the ball, making the gameplay more realistic.
Reformed Club Mode
Archetypes, a new progression system in FIFA 26 Clubs, allows players to choose from 13 player Archetypes based on their preferences. If you want to be a striker like Zlatan Ibrahimovic, choose Target Man; if you want to be a player like Ronaldinho, choose Magician.

To expand your playstyle options as a virtual pro in your club, you can obtain additional player Archetypes by finding special Archetype Unlock Consumables. These items can be obtained through Objectives, Season Passes, or Club Store rewards. Additionally, you can earn additional Archetypes by spending FC 26 coins.
However, please note that each Archetype is independent of the others. If you unlock multiple Archetypes, you will need to play against each Archetype separately and spend resources to upgrade them.
In previous versions, the club mode allowed players to control a single player to form a team, freely allocating skill points and switching positions as desired.
However, in FC 26, the game has replaced the skill point with an archetype point. FIFA FUT 26 encourages players to lock into a single position rather than switching between the five positions. If you've already accumulated enough archetype points for a forward but suddenly want to change positions on the field, this isn't allowed.
To change team positions mid-game, you need to start from scratch and invest enough time and FIFA 26 coins to build the players you want. Therefore, when teaming up with friends, you must be sure to select the suitable player's position.
This new game mode has both advantages and disadvantages. In previous versions, players could only earn skill points to improve their players through a large number of matches, but now they can directly use archetype points in-game to build high-ranked players. However, this game mode also puts some players who can't spend points at a disadvantage compared to those who can.
Redesigned Fatigue Mechanics
In FIFA 26, the effect of fatigue on players has been redesigned.
When controlling a player, short-term fatigue still slows the player's running speed as usual until fatigue is restored. Players no longer experience long-term fatigue, which helps players maintain their peak performance for longer periods of time.
New Game Modes
The most noticeable difference in FC 26 is the introduction of Authentic game mode, which offers a more realistic football experience and immersive matches.
Authentic game mode is the default setting for both Manager Career and Player Career modes. It's more difficult than regular matches, requiring players to employ combination tactics to achieve victory. This mode is ideal for players who prefer a more challenging and progressively more challenging gameplay.
Manager Career mode has also been updated with smarter AI logic when transferring players from other saved teams, potentially leading to unexpected situations and more challenging contract negotiations with players.
In addition to the standard team management and player transfers, a new Manager Live Career section has been added, allowing players to complete challenges in the regular Career Mode.
Quitting a game when it's almost over is common, but in FC 26, players will be penalized.
In Ultimate Team mode, if the game is tied, but the opponent withdraws before the match is fully concluded, you will be deemed the winner. If you exit the game prematurely, your rewards for the next match will be reduced.
To encourage players to accept the outcome and persevere to the end, this rule also applies to Rush mode. If you exit prematurely in this mode, there will be a slight delay in subsequent matchmaking.
All in all, FC 26 addresses many of the shortcomings of the previous version, enhancing the game's realism and depth. Despite some remaining issues, it remains a worthwhile game for football fans.

